Since 1988, Keith Grace has exhibited and sold his paintings across the country
in galleries, museums and universities, through one-man and group shows. He has
participated in over 90 art festivals and invitational exhibitions and has won
may awards for his work. His paintings have appeared in magazines, newspapers,
books, posters, annual reports, brochures, websites, restaurant walls, and
stage sets
–as well as numerous corporate and private collections internationally.

In addition to his paintings, Keith has an extensive background in graphic
design and illustration work. He worked as an illustrator, designer and
graphics editor for The Rockford Register Star newspaper for over 12 years. He
also shares a graphic design business with his wife Shari. He has always had a
love for typography so that is why you will see it layered throughout his
paintings and illustrations.

Hip Dog Cool Cat is the more illustrative side of Keith’s work. To see more of his complex figurative and abstract mixed media paintings
please visit
www.grace-design.com

Artist Process

The process for each painting begins with sketches, often inspired by
photographs that Keith has taken of friends and objects. The sketches evolve
into the final composition which is enlarged and drawn onto canvas.

Keith then collages individual pieces of typography and photography securely
onto the canvas surface with many layers of an adhesive, transparent medium to
ensure a flat, seamless application. The typographic images are chosen randomly
by type font, size, boldness and color. Next, color is blocked in with layers
of acrylics, painting and rubbing out areas where the type apperars, to create
various levels of transparency.

Further collaging work is added at this stage. Detail painting is then applied
with oil colors, using a drybush technique. This process is performed by using
unmixed paint directly from the tube and rubbing it into the surface with a
flat, hard brush, almost like sketching with paint. Also, using a cloth, small
amounts of the oils are rubbed into the painting to enhance and intensify
the color.